Safety-envelop.



PATBNTED FEB. 10, 1903.

G. W. FLETCHER. SAFETY ENVELOP.

APPLICATION PIILBD OUT. 15, 1902.

' [71 d M iifiP/j n 3 Tn: NORRIS PETERS 00., Pumauma, WASHINGTON, D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. FLETCHER, OF MENDON, ILLINOIS.

SAFETY-ENVELOP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 720,413, dated February 10, 1903.

Application filed October 15, 1902. Serial No. 127,419. (No model.)

velops, and particularly that class known as;

safety-envelops. g

The object of the invention is to present an envelop which when once sealed cannot be opened without detection; furthermore, to present an envelop of this character which will combine simplicity of construction, certainty of operation, and readiness and cheapness of manufacture.

With these and other objects in view, as will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction and combination of parts of an envelop, which will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts, there is illustrated one form of embodiment of invention capable of carrying the same into practical operation, it being understood that the elements therein exhibited may be varied as to shape, proportion, and exact manner of assemblage without departing from the spirit thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view in plan of a blank from which the envelop is constructed. Fig. 2 is a view in vertical transverse section of the envelop afterit has been assembled and prior to the insertion of the mail-matter. Fig. 3 is aview in vertical transverse section showing the manner in which the mail-matter is positioned in the envelop.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the body of the envelop, provided with side flaps 2, a bottom flap 3, and a sealing-flap 4, having a sealing-tongue 5. The side and bottom flaps are each provided with a slot or opening 6, which when the flaps are se'aledtogether in the making up of the envelop are adapted to register, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, to permit passage therethrough of the sealing-tongue 5, which latter is provided near tion of this length is then sealed to the back or body of the envelop, as shown in Fig. 2, this being effected by inserting the thumb within the envelop and pinching the tongue thereagainst. The letter or other matter to be mailed is then placed on the loop 8, formed by the tongue, and by pressing down upon -.the mail-matter the tongue will be drawn down through the orifices to the position shown in Fig.3, after which the flap 4 will be sealed in the usual manner, and in this act the remainder of the gummed portion of the tongue will be attached to the envelop. The said gummed portion is to be of such length that even though the sealing-flap be detached from the envelop in any manner, as by steaming, a length of the tongue sufficient to permit removal of the mail-matter cannot be withdrawn, and it will thus be seen that when a letter has once been placed within an envelop constructed in accordance with the present invention it will be impossible to remove it without destroying the tongue, and if this be torn when the letter is received it will be proof positive that the letter has been tampered with. As a matter of further precaution sight-openings 9 may be provided in the flaps 2 and 3, which when these parts are assembled will register, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, and will be opposite the unsealed portion of the tongue. Thus evenif the sealing-flap 4 be secured in position if inspection through the sight-openings 9 shows that the tongue has been torn the receiverof the letter will know that it has been unlawfully opened.

The envelop of this invention is exceedingly simple in construction and may be readily manufactured without the employment of intricate machinery for the purpose.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is 1. An envelop of the character defined,comprising bottom and end flaps 'each provided with an orifice to register when the flaps are assembled, and a sealing-flap having a tongue adapted to be passed through the orifices and to be secured to the body of the envelop, and to be wholly inclosed therein and to constitute a loop to inclose the matter placed in the envelop.

2. An envelop of the character defined,comprising bottom andend flaps, each provided near its terminal With an orifice, which, when the flaps are assembled register, and a sealing-fiap provided with a sealing-tongue having its terminal gurnmed on one side, said tongue to be passed through the registered orifices and to be secured to the body of the envelop, and to be wholly inclosed therein and to constitute a loop to inclose the matter placed in the envelop.

3. An envelop of the character defined,com-

prising a body and end flaps each provided with an orifice and with a plurality of sightopenings to register when the flap is assen:1 bled, and a sealing-flap having a tongue adapted to be passed through the orifices and to be secured to the body of the envelop, and to be wholly inclosed therein and to constitute a loop to inclose the matter placed in the envelop.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

GEORGE W. FLETCHER.

Witnesses:

L. E. EMMONS, MARGARET R. KIRBY. 

